ISLAMABAD – Pakistani security forces and intelligence agencies have reportedly arrested multiple high profile al-Qaeda operatives in an intelligence-based operation in the Sindh capital.
The UK-based organisation Islamic Theology of Counter-Terrorism (ITCT) reports that Umar Jalal Kathio, the son-in-law of al-Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri, was among the multiple al-Qaeda operatives arrested from Karachi a few days ago.
Dr Ayman Al-Zawahiri, the current leader of al-Qaeda terrorist group, is listed among the FBI’s Most Wanted Terrorists with a $5 million reward on his head.
His son-in-law also served as Osama bin Laden’s personal bodyguard and driver. Kathio and his wife have reportedly been shifted to an undisclosed location.
“The timing of the announcement of these arrests is interesting since it comes right after President Trump said some unsavory things about Pakistan in an interview, which made waves in Pakistan.”
– my comments here: https://t.co/oLLhwG9GDi
— F. Jeffery 👁 (@Natsecjeff) November 19, 2018
The reported arrests come a day after US President Donald Trump slammed Pakistan for what he said ‘doing nothing for the US’ and alleged that the country sheltered Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden for years.
Trump, in an interview, said that people in Pakistan knew the top terrorist leader was living there. “But living in Pakistan right next to the military academy, everybody in Pakistan knew he was there,” he told Fox News.
On Monday, in a series of tweets, Pakistan’s prime minister responded that Pakistan had suffered 75,000 casualties and lost $123 billion in the “US War on Terror” that followed 9/11, despite the fact that no Pakistanis were involved in the attacks.
Record needs to be put straight on Mr Trump’s tirade against Pakistan: 1. No Pakistani was involved in 9/11 but Pak decided to participate in US War on Terror. 2. Pakistan suffered 75,000 casualties in this war & over $123 bn was lost to economy. US “aid” was a miniscule $20 bn.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) November 19, 2018
3. Our tribal areas were devastated & millions of ppl uprooted from their homes. The war drastically impacted lives of ordinary Pakistanis. 4. Pak continues to provide free lines of ground & air communications(GLOCs/ALOCs).Can Mr Trump name another ally that gave such sacrifices?
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) November 19, 2018
Imran Khan maintains the US has only provided a “miniscule” $20 billion in aid.
WebPaki could not immediately verify this report. This story will be updated in case of new information.
